Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Russia and Ukraine to “stop attacks on civilian and commercial ships“. The head of state's statement comes a day after the Turkish military shot down an unmanned drone over the Black Sea. Erdogan's words were quoted by the Daily Sabah newspaper, Focus reports.
According to him, attacks on commercial or civilian ships “are not beneficial to either side in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine“.
“The latest mutual attacks pose a serious threat to maritime navigation in the Black Sea. Attacks targeting commercial and civilian ships are not beneficial to anyone. "We have given clear warnings on this issue to both sides," Erdogan said.
The Turkish leader referred to the Montreux Convention, signed in 1936, which gives Turkey full rights to control the Bosphorus and the Çanakkale or Dardanelles straits. It provides complete freedom of navigation for civilian vessels in peacetime and limited access for warships.
However, Turkey has the right to prohibit the entry of warships of belligerent countries if it is not directly involved in the conflict. Until now, the convention has guaranteed Turkey's maritime security, but in recent weeks the Black Sea has become the focus of attacks from Russia and Ukraine, which have spread to Turkish territorial waters, the publication notes.
We recall that yesterday, December 15, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that Turkish F-16 fighter jets had shot down an unknown drone over the Black Sea, which had "gone out of control" and was approaching the country's airspace.
Combat drone over the Black Sea! Recep Erdogan warned Russia and Ukraine
The Turkish leader referred to the Montreux Convention, concluded in 1936, which gives Ankara full rights to control the Bosphorus and the Çanakkale or Dardanelles
Dec 17, 2025 11:10 55
